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In repeat of 2019, MNS makes quiet entry in Khadakwasla contest

Three-time BJP legislator Bhimrao Tapkir had to struggle for an opportunity to get a party ticket for a fourth time to the Khadakwasla seat.

The entry of young Mayuresh Wanjale, son of late MNS legislator Ramesh Wanjale, has made the contest interesting. (Photo: X)

Three-time BJP legislator Bhimrao Tapkir faces a challenge from Sachin Dodke of NCP (SP) in a repeat of the 2019 assembly election where he won by a narrow margin. However, this time he will face another formidable candidate — Mayuresh Wanjale of MNS.

Tapkir had to struggle for an opportunity to get a party ticket for a fourth time to the Khadakwasla seat. He faced competition from many within the party, but the BJP once again showed its trust for him.

Tapkir had always managed to score over main rival NCP in the assembly constituency and hopes to gain from the party’s split in favour of a likely fourth consecutive win.

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Dodke had been a candidate of the united NCP in 2019 and lost by a small margin of 2,500 votes. He stayed with Sharad Pawar and is once again in the field as an NCP (SP) candidate. He is relying on anti-incumbency against Tapkir and an increased connect in the constituency. A former corporator of NCP, Dodke had been at the forefront during Supriya Sule’s campaign in the Lok Sabha election.

The entry of young Mayuresh Wanjale, son of late MNS legislator Ramesh Wanjale, has made the contest interesting. His father had been a popular face in the constituency but he had an untimely death. Later, the family joined NCP under Sharad Pawar and Harshada Wanjale, wife of the deceased legislator, who lost the byelection to BJP. However, her daughter Sayali Wanjale was elected to PMC as an NCP representative.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune. He writes on Infrastructure, Politics, Civic issues, Sustainable Development and related stuff. He is a trekker and a sports enthusiast. Ajay has written research articles on the Conservancy staff that created a nationwide impact in framing policy to improve the condition of workers handling waste. Ajay has been consistently writing on politics and infrastructure. He brought to light the lack of basic infrastructure of school and hospital in the hometown of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde even as two private helipads were developed by the leader who mostly commutes from Mumbai to Satara in helicopter. Ajay has been reporting on sustainable development initiatives that protects the environment while ensuring infrastructure development. ... Read More

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